by Danni Roan
"It's up to you what you do, Sadie." His voice sounded small. "You can stay here with me, or take one of the other rooms, whichever makes you happy." He closed his eyes begging God that she'd decide to stay.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable," Sadie said, even though this conversation was making her uncomfortable. She knew she was no longer desirable as a woman and didn't want Ed to think she had expectations.
"I won't be uncomfortable," Ed lied. He wasn't sure he'd get a wink of sleep with her in that big bed with him.
"I'll stay, then," Sadie said, her voice steady but faint.
"Good," Ed stated so brightly that Sadie jumped. He grinned, trying to put her at ease. "Why don't you put your things away, then we'll go down to supper."
Sadie smiled halfheartedly, but nodded. "I'll see you downstairs in a few minutes, then."
He ran his hand along her arm as he walked past and a soft warmth, like the first rays of the morning sun, tickled her skin.
Shaking off the feeling, she hurried to unpack her things and placed them in a large highboy dresser that stood against the wall. She wrinkled her nose at the dimness of the room, but hesitated to pull back the drapes and let the last dying rays of the sun in.
With great care, she finally pulled the wadded up old stocking from her bag, bouncing it on her hand to make it jingle. It wasn't much, but over the past few years she'd managed to save enough to have a little set aside. Her emergency fund, as she liked to call it.
In the few weeks after Roger left Sadie had managed on what little he'd given her, but soon it had become evident that she would need to work. Her skill with a needle and thread had been the difference between starving and living, but she had still needed to sell much of what she herself owned.
Sadina was determined to never be in that straight again. Squeezing the fist-sized bundle tight, she placed it under her small clothes at the back of the drawer, just in case.
***
"That was an awful nice dinner Ms. Crumps," Faith said covering a yawn, her eyes sleepy.
"Yes, it was," Sadie echoed. It felt strange not doing the cooking.
"Yer welcome, little mite," the older woman said. "How about a cookie before you go to bed?" she added, looking not at Faith, but Sadie for permission.
Sadie smiled. "That would be fine," she agreed. "Then we'll get you washed up and you can sleep in your new room tonight." Her eyes twinkled at the excitement on her daughter's face.
"You gonna do a supply run soon?" Mrs. Crumps asked, drawing hot water from the reservoir at the back of the stove.
"If we need to," Ed answered.
"I'll get a list of things ready for ya." Mrs. Crumps offered, carrying the heavy bucket to the large porcelain sink.
Sadie stood and headed for the sink. "Can't I do the dishes?" she asked, rolling up her sleeves, "After all, you did the cooking."
"No, I don't mind doin' the dishes and Bayer'll bring the things from the bunk house soon anyway." Mrs. Crumps looked Sadie up and down as if surprised she would offer to help. "You go get your youngin' settled." She paused for a minute then continued. "Didn't ya say you liked ta bake?" she asked.
"Yes, I enjoy making cakes, and pies and cookies."
"I enjoy eating cookies, pies and cakes," Ed piped up, winking at Faith and making her laugh.
"Well you'd best add on what ya might want for them things to the list and pick them up tomorrow as well."
Sadie smiled, wondering if this was Mrs. Crumps way of being kind.
"Now you go on and get that girl washed up and maybe you, too," Mrs. Crumps added grumpily as she cleared the table. "Ain't no point lolli-gagging around the kitchen."
Faith gobbled down the rest of her cookie and climbed off her chair, taking her mother's hand and scrabbling up the stairs.
"Did ya see Mama?" the girl said, her eyes wide with wonder. "There's a real bath and even an indoor privy that flushes."
"You don't say, and how do you know about these amazing things?"
"Mrs. Crumps helped me when she showed me my new room."
"Then you can show me," Sadie said with a grin.
It was sad that Faith couldn't remember living in the big house with the indoor bath back home, and once again she was grateful that she had taken the chance and come west with her old school-chum.
Chapter 4
Having a hot bath in a large tub full of clean water was like a dream come true, and after getting Faith settled in bed, Sadie luxuriated in it.
She had never imaged the big ugly box of a house would have such a modern luxury, but her heart was light over the fact.
Toweling herself dry, she slipped into her long, white nightgown and pulled a heavy wrap around her. The pink wrap was a little snug and she cinched it tight with a thick, rose-colored belt before padding toward the bedroom.
Approaching the door, she felt awkward; she hadn’t shared a bed with a man in years and even knowing that Ed wasn’t interested in her in that way, she felt the butterflies rise in her stomach.
Let him be asleep, she whispered silently, turning the knob on the door and walking into the dark space.
Ed was sitting on the bed, tugging his boots off, but he turned to smile at her, his eyes roving over her form.
Sadie pulled her dressing gown tight around her throat and blushed. She couldn’t imagine what the man was thinking as his heavy boots thumped onto the dark carpet that covered the floor.
“I’ll just… I’ll get cleaned up,” Ed said, his voice gruff as he stood to his feet and headed out the door, barely giving Sadie another glance.
With Ed gone, Sadie felt that she could finally relax a little and she hurried to the bed, taking off her wrap and climbing in as quickly as she could, then wondered if she was on the right side of the bed. She didn’t know which side Ed wanted, or if it even mattered.
Pulling the blankets up to her chin, she peered at the door, willing herself to stay awake until he came back. She would ask him which side he preferred. It was the least she could do, considering she was already making him share his bed, but as the minutes ticked, by her eyelids grew heavy and the battle was lost.
***
Edward Grant Hampton leaned his head against the cold surface of the mirror above the pedestal sink, huffing out a breath between clenched teeth.
Drawing a deep breath, Ed looked up at the face reflected in the glass, a face full of pained restraint. He remembered Sadie as the bright cheerful, girl on the playground, and even as the pretty, young thing blossoming into full womanhood, but to be confronted with this ripe, voluptuous woman was overwhelming.
“Maybe I should have had her take one of the other rooms.” He turned on the tap and splashed cold water on his face, the sharp sting settling his nerves.
“Lord I’m gonna need your strength to get through this,” he said, casting his eyes toward the ceiling above as he shimmied out of his clothes and turned the cold tap on in the tub.
He’d known this was not going to be easy. He could see the hurt and shame on Sadie’s lovely face too many times and each time it made him want to return to his childhood home and lay a whip to Roger Riley.
He hissed as his bare toes eased into the bath, then shivering, lowering himself into the cold water with a sardonic chuckle.
He was finally a married man, finally had the girl of his dreams, and he was taking a cold bath so he’d remember to leave her alone.
Despite his discomfort, he had to laugh. He had always been a sucker for punishment when it came to Sadina Masters. He’d gotten himself in more trouble that he could remember, trying to impress that girl.
Reaching forward and turning on the tap for some hot water, Ed let his mind drift back to the schoolyard so long ago.
***
“Eddie, do something!” Sadie’s plaintive wail had him scrambling into the outhouse without so much as a backward glance.
“What? What’s wrong?” The beanpole young man in the frayed collar and too-short trousers was brea
thless with worry.
“Someone’s put it down the privy,” Sadie said, wringing her hands.
“Sadie, what in Sam hill are you talking about?” A pathetic meow echoed from the depths of the circular stool.
Ed Hampton looked down the dark hole and caught a glimpse of movement.
“Go fetch Derek!” he barked, reaching for the latch on the little bench and lifting it, gagging at the stench.
A small gray form struggled in the slurry of filth below. Turning away, Ed took a deep breath and leaned in as far as he could, trying to catch the struggling creature below, but he couldn’t reach.
Lifting up on his toes he stretched farther, but still was not able to reach. Bracing one hand on the lip of the bench seat, he leaned as far as he could and began to slide, his balance abandoning him.
Closing his mouth tight as he plunged headlong toward the bottom of the cesspool, Eddie closed his eyes, but at the last moment, two strong hands grasped his ankles, holding him steady. Retching, he grasped the cat by its sodden tail as he was pulled upward to sunlight and fresh air.
“Git that thing to the crick quick,” Derek commanded, stepping as far away from his brother as possible in the enclosed space.
Ed raced to the little stream on the edge of the school property, wading in and plunging the filth-ridden cat into its clear depths.
A rustle behind him told him that Sadie had arrived, but he didn’t spare her a glance.
“Will it live?” she asked, her voice anguished. “Don’t let it die.”
Ed scrubbed the limp gray form in his hands, rubbing away the stink and grime. The little cat barely stirred. Either it had been in the pit too long or it was too tired to fight anymore.
Gently he cleaned its face and eyes, rinsing it repeatedly in the cold brook. By the time he’d finished, his teeth were chattering and his fingers were numb.
“Find me something to wrap it in,” he said, climbing out of the stream, whisking as much water from the little animal’s coat as he could with gentle stokes.
Sadie looked around her, wondering what she could use, but there was nothing at hand. “Close your eyes,” she finally barked.
Ed closed his eyes as a rustling of cloth assaulted his ears and wondered what the girl was doing.
“Here,” she whispered and he opened his eyes to see her crisp, white petticoat in her hand. “Wrap it up in this.”
Blushing bright red, Ed wrapped the cat in the slip, carefully cleaning its mouth and eyes as he bundled the still, gray form in its pristine whiteness.
“Now what am I gonna do with it?” he asked, shaking the water from his trousers one leg at a time.
“You’ll have to keep it warm,” Sadie said, her eyes full of hope and compassion.
He blinked up at her. He was half frozen himself. How was he supposed to keep a cat in a petticoat warm?
“Put it inside your shirt,” Sadie said, reaching for the buttons on his second-best shirt. “Ms. Miller will have you sit next to the fire since you got wet.”
Ed groaned. Ms. Miller would have something to say about his wet pants for sure. He cringed as the school bell clattered, recalling them to the classroom.
He could already hear his teacher as he approached the building.
“Edward Hampton, what on earth have you been doing?” Ms. Miller scowled at him. “You’re soaking wet.”
“I slipped.” Ed muttered, his arms wrapped around his middle where the cat rested against his skin.
“Well, get in next to the fire until you dry out,” the lean, old teacher snapped. “Go, go, and add a stick or two while you’re at it.”
Sadie smiled sweetly and stepped into the class behind Ed.
As the afternoon dragged on and the boy’s trousers started to dry out, something squirmed under his shirt. Ed quickly adjusted the secret bundle, but the cat was finally stirring and a moment later several succinct sneezes emanated from around his waistline.
Ms. Miller, her ears sharp despite her age, turned glaring eyes at the young man.
“Now look at what you’ve done,” she growled. “You’ve gone and caught a cold. Well, it serves you right, you silly boy, playing in that stream at this time of the year.” Her scowl made him slump lower in the seat, but his midriff wriggled.
Ms. Miller narrowed her eyes at the young miscreant. “What do you have in your shirt, Edward?” Her words were clipped.
“Nothin’ ma’am,” Ed tried.
“Hand it over this instance!” the matron demanded.
Ed ducked his head trying, to avoid the inevitable, but then reluctantly unbuttoned his shirt and lifted out the bedraggled, groggy looking cat.
“Lord have mercy,” Ms. Miller snapped.
“It’s not his fault.” Sadie stood to her feet. “He was helping me.”
“Sadina Masters, you sit back down and mind your own business,” Ms. Miller said, shaking a bony finger at the girl. “As for you, Edward, you carry that mangy thing outside and dispose of it. Then you can stay one hour after class and clean the blackboard, chop the wood, and sweep out the school room.”
“Yes ma’am,” Ed said, rising and walking through the door at the back of the room.
***
A fully-grown Edward Hampton ran a washcloth over his face and the grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Sadie had left the class as soon as they had been dismissed and raced to find that half-drowned cat still dozing in a ball among her petticoats.
She’d also waited for him to finish his punishment and walked part of the way home with him.
“I’m sorry you got in trouble because of me.” Her words drifted back to him. She had been holding the raggedy cat. “You can help me name him.” She even talked him into calling that cat Ben Purr.
That was the Sadie Ed remembered. The one with a big heart and a fierce loyalty to her friends. He hoped that someday she, too, would remember.
“I was sick for a week,” Ed spoke to the empty room, pulling himself out of the bath with a grin. “I was crazy about her then and I’m still crazy, I guess.”
The oil lamp on the nightstand was burning low when Ed entered the room and padded silently to the far side of the bed. Sadie was sound asleep, her wild braid hanging over one shoulder and her face peaceful.
His mouth tugged itself into a grin at the way she had pulled the blankets up to her chin. Blowing out the light, he rolled into the blankets.
Chapter 5
Sadie snuggled deeper into the warm blankets, her groggy mind not yet aware of the dawning of a new day. She sighed dreamily, her back pressed tight to something warm and solid. Somewhere her unconscious mind registered a feeling of contentment as she rolled over, bumping her knee into a hard obstacle.
Opening her eyes, Sadie looked directly into the smiling face of Ed Hampton and was instantly awake.
“I’m sorry, did I hurt you, did I?” she asked, scooting backward toward the edge of the bed.
“You did give my knee a bit of a smack,” Ed admitted, still holding the crooked grin.
“I’m sorry.” She dropped her eyes, her backside finally reaching the edge of the mattress and she shivered as a blast of cool air raced up her spine. “I’d better get up,” she added, forcing herself out of the warm recesses of the bed and grabbing her wrap.
Ed smiled as he watched Sadie gather up her clothing and head to the bathroom. Perhaps it was a good thing that she seemed so flustered around him. Maybe he had some chance of winning her over yet. Surely if he disturbed her this much, it was a good sign.
The clatter of pots and pans from downstairs made Ed groan and he pushed himself up out of bed. Today was his first full day back on the ranch and aside from the trip to town, there would be more than enough work to get on with.
Rising, he pulled on his trousers and grabbed up a clean shirt and socks. There was no point putting it off; Mrs. Crumps was not known for her patience at mealtime.
“What’s for breakfast?” Ed asked as he entered the
kitchen, stretching even as the warmth from the big cook stove began to fill the room.
“It’s Wednesday, so it’s bacon and eggs,” the older woman said. “Is your missus up?”
“She’s getting dressed. Do you need help?”
The look Mrs. Crumps cut him was scathing. “The day I need help is the day I hang up my apron,” she grumbled. “I just wanna know what’s she’s adding to the shopping list, so’s I’m sure we have enough o’ everything.”
A soft tread on the stairs told Ed that Sadie had arrived. “Sadie, you got that list for Mrs. Crumps?” he asked as she walked into the kitchen. She was wearing a faded skirt and long shirtwaist, the soft whiteness of it setting off her smoky eyes.
“I can do it now if that’s alright.” She looked between him and Mrs. Crumps, not sure which one to answer.
“It’s on the work table.” Mrs. Crumps jerked her head in the general direction. “I wrote everythin’ I need, so’s you should be able to figure what you want that’s extra.” She turned back to the oversized iron frying pan she was using to cook at least a dozen eggs.
“Can’t I do anything else to help?” Sadie asked, feeling awkward.
“Nah! Bayer’ll be up ta fetch breakfast for the crew.”
“Who’s Bayer?” Sadie asked, settling at the table with a stubby pencil in hand.
“He’s the swamper,” Ed and Mrs. Crumps said in unison. The older woman turned back to her cooking, carefully sliding the eggs from the skillet to a large platter.
“Goslin Bayer’s our swamper. He sees to the everyday needs of the bunk house. Cleaning, helping with the stock, fetching meals and bringing back the dirty dishes.”
“I look forward to meeting him,” Sadie said, reading through the list before her. “Mrs. Crumps, I see you have two tins of molasses on the list here. Do you go through that much?”
“It takes a while but some of the fella’s like it on their pancakes and such.”
Sadie looked up at Ed, “Can we add another for baking?” she asked, worrying her bottom lip with doubt.
“Should be alright, especially if you’ll make up some of them molasses cringles with the sugar on them.” He rubbed his flat stomach appreciatively.